SafeUseNow

Goal

To scale SafeUseNow, a technology and training product that helps doctors identify and reduce prescription drug abuse; the team will provide the service for free to a nonprofit healthcare provider in California.

Since the 1990s, prescription drug abuse has significantly increased in the United States. However, a lack of actionable information about prescription drug abuse risk, despite the increase of state monitoring programs, makes it difficult to combat the problem. SafeUseNow; aims to reduce abuse by making prescribing safer and more effective. The tool uses data to identify combinations of prescribers, patients, and pharmacies who may be contributing to the problem. This information helps healthcare stakeholders educate prescribers to more effectively and safely treat patients. It also allows them to monitor prescribing patterns for changes in trends and behavior. A successful pilot with one health plan provider achieved a significant reduction in key risk factors. With Knight Foundation funding, the team will scale the project for use by Medicaid plans in California and around the country.